“There's beauty all around us at all times.”
This Is How I See: The Extraordinary in the Ordinary
London based street photographer Alan Schaller often spends time photographing in Tokyo. Moving through the city’s streets, he looks for moments where something unexpected appears within everyday life. Working exclusively in black and white, Alan is drawn to light, shadow and the small details that can transform an ordinary scene. His work is driven by the belief that beauty and opportunity exist everywhere.
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A Language of Light and Shadow
Alan’s photography lives in monochrome but spans many moods. From street photography to fine art, portraiture and abstraction, his images are shaped by contrast, negative space and a subtle sense of surrealism. People remain central, even when they occupy only a small part of the frame.
Some images require speed. Others require patience. Alan responds to what the situation demands, using the street as a testing ground for how an ordinary scene can reveal something more.
„Black and white, abstract, surrealist, humanist. That’s how I’d describe my photography.“
Alan Schaller
Wide Angles and Quiet Focus
His perspective has evolved over time. Early on, he photographed close to people, often with a 50mm, focusing on expressions and street portraiture. As his interests shifted, he began pulling architecture and geometry into the story, moving wider until the 24mm became his favourite focal length.
In Tokyo, that wide perspective feels natural. Metro platforms, underground corridors, crossings and everyday streets become stages where light, environment and subject carry equal priority. Even in busy places, Alan often looks for clarity, isolating a figure or a small group and reducing the chaos, so the viewer immediately knows where to look.
„I tried to combine the human with the environment.“
Alan Schaller
About Alan
Alan Schaller is a London-based photographer whose work has become a defining reference in contemporary black-and-white street photography.
Working primarily in urban environments, his images are known for their strong contrast, graphic composition, and careful attention to light and form. His work has been exhibited internationally, published widely, and he regularly collaborates with cultural institutions, brands, and publications.
Alongside his artistic practice, Alan has played a key role in building global photography communities. He is the co-founder of Street Photography International and the founder of Irys, a photography-first social media platform and ecosystem created to support photographers, foster meaningful connections, and create real-world opportunities beyond the feed.
Alan's Gear
Simple Tools, Full Control
As a committed Leica M user, Alan relies on simplicity and control. He often works with one body and one or two lenses, most often a 24mm that lets him blend geometry, architecture and human presence, while keeping other focal lengths in the bag when needed. Manual focus, zone focusing and hip shooting make him fast, because every decision stays with him. The physical controls and depth of field scales keep the process direct, and each image is built with intention.
„A lot of people get the M wrong. They think it's a slow camera. Every other camera is a slow camera for me.“
Alan Schaller
